Lady Sharks Sign Scholarship Offers
Moving On: Guard Nachalie Dejesus, who averaged 21.8 points per game for the Lady Sharks this past season, has accepted a scholarship offer to the University of South Florida.
Two of the five graduating sophomores on the Lady Sharks basketball team have signed scholarship offers at Division I schools to continue their collegiate careers.
The three other sophomores are weighing their options. Susan Summons, the head women’s basketball coach at Miami Dade College, said the players brought “maturity, leadership, a competitive spirit and a will to win” to Lady Sharks basketball.
Guard Nachalie Dejesus, a nursing major, has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of South Florida. In her final season at MDC, Dejesus led the Southern Conference in scoring (averaging 21.8 points per game) and three-point percentage (47.9 percent).
Dejesus, who has played for the Puerto Rican national team, was also named the 2016 Florida College System Athletic Association Southern Conference Player of the Year , a 2016 National Junior College Athletic Association All-American and a 2016 Delta Psi Kappa Scholarship Award.
Jaiveonna Norris, a 6-foot-1 inch center originally from Chicago, will transfer to the University of North Florida.
“The atmosphere there, the coaching staff was great when I came on my visit,” Norris said about her visit to UNF.
Norris, who is an education major, served as team captain in her lone season with the Lady Sharks, contributing 13.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. She was garnered Florida College System Activities Association All-Southern Conference First Team honors.
“When I go to North Florida, I just want to help [North Florida’s] team win more games than they won this past year because they really struggled, so I want to come in and help,” Norris said.
Point guard Shatara Jackson is deciding between Florida College and Saint Leo University.
Jackson, a criminal justice major, averaged 10.9 points per game this past season and was awarded FCSAA All-Southern Conference Second Team honors.
Guard Victoria Jones, a communications major and National Honor Society member, is deciding between Florida College, Warner Southern University and Saint Leo University. Jones averaged 3.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game coming off the bench for the Sharks.
Albertine Bazile has a scholarship offer from Florida College. Bazile grabbed 11 rebounds, two points and one steal in 12 games played for the Lady Sharks this year.
“She’s a really great motivator, like she motivates you when we think we’re doing bad like she always keeps a positive mind on everything, and off the court she’s really hilarious, everybody just enjoys being around her,” Norris said of Bazile.
The Lady Sharks finished this past season with an 18-12 record, good for third place in the Southern Conference.
